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Let us be clear about one thing. You cannot make more time. It's finite. You can't pull it out of a hat.

In my humble opinion, you have in reality, only three things you can do to get more time.

One: Eliminate. Two: Delegate. Three: Do better

First, eliminateYou would have read many of my columns where I've described the importance of focus. The importance of spending your valuable time doing the right activities, the right things for your role in life, your role at work.

Second, delegateWhen was the last time you gave other people around you more responsibilities? Namely first and foremost your children/partner. Please, simply do it.

Third, do what you're doing betterWe are surrounded by technology and equipment. From your Skybox or DVD player, your new phone, TV's, software.

They are all loaded, and I mean loaded with benefits for you. However, nothing comes with a manual now, and who has the time or the inclination or the knowledge to search and learn what is behind those menus; behind those buttons or a swipe you wouldn't think of doing?

I'm off to Phnom Phen Cambodia this evening for a speaking engagement. It's to the heads of independent financial planning dealer groups from Australia.

My presentation to them is entitled Smarter. Faster. Cheaper. Better. The dilemma I face is I've been given only one hour to present, so how can you convince anyone in that time frame? I'll share my first point with them. Remove paper and pen. This refers to how they use their financial planning software when working with their prospects and clients. I'm going to tell them the story I told in the Herald - Old Routine or New Rewards

This is how a risk insurance broker, by doing direct data input into his tablet when with clients was able to free up 8.5 working weeks a year in simple productivity gains. He then turned this into working time (others could use it for more free time) and increased his income by $126,000.

Next I'll apply it to them - their average remuneration, success rate, client reticence. The figure I came up with - and it's a real figure is staggering - especially when you see productivity gains throughout a group. In example, using their software instead of paper would free up 32 working days a year for each person or for a dealer group of 200 it has the potential of raising revenue by an additional $41,040,000.

The close will be something like this:

"You've heard the adage it takes money to make money. Well, may I suggest to you that it takes time to make time and more money? It's up to you whether you will have an opportunity cost exceeding $41 million dollars, or will you spend time to learn what your software can do mobily then train the team? It's over to you."

So with that little melodramatic statement let me simply suggest:

Whenever you have something you do repeatedly using technology. Stop. Then take the time to ask Google if there is a smarter quicker faster better way. You'll find heaps of articles and many YouTube videos showing you the how-to.

Written by Debbie Mayo-Smith, One of New Zealand's most in-demand speakers, trainers and bestselling authors. Debbie works with companies that want more effective staff. For more tips and business ideas sign up for her free monthly newsletter.